Alessia's POV
My eyes widened in shock. "Papa, what are you even saying?" I asked, incredulous.
Dad stood up, his back to me. "Go back home as if nothing happened. Nothing happened. And there's no point in crying."
I stood up, feeling betrayed. Why was everyone doing this to me? I never expected this from Dad. He was supposed to understand me, but he was being selfish, just like everyone else.
"This is my life, my decision. I won't marry Derek. Never," I said, my voice shaking. "They're...they're planning to kill me."
Dad's face turned red with rage. "Alessia!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room.
I fell back onto the couch, startled. Dad bent down, his green eyes boring into mine with a glare.
"You'd better behave unless...I'll kill you before anyone else has the chance to," Dad hissed, his voice cold.
My jaw dropped and my eyes widened.
The man before me was unrecognizable. He didn't resemble the loving father I had known all my life - the same man who had just comforted me and wiped away my tears.
I didn't know which was more surprising: my fiancee and best friend's betrayal or my dad's sudden change.
I stared into Dad's eyes, fear coursing through my veins. My heart pounded loudly against my chest.
He retreated, his eyes still on mine. "How are you so sure of what you're saying?" he asked, his voice more calm.
I didn't know how to respond. I wouldn't tell him about the pregnancy; it would only complicate things for me. I picked up my bag and decided to head out.
"I'm leaving," I said firmly, but I was still shaking.
"Alessia," Dad called, making me stop. "Don't do anything foolish. Whatever you think you heard or saw, discard it. And you never came here."
With that, he turned his back on me. My eyes welled up with tears. I felt too broken, with nowhere to seek solace. I was alone.
But then I remembered. I held my tummy, and I braced myself. No, I wasn't alone. I had my baby, and that was the strength I needed.
I stormed out of his study, feeling lost and uncertain. Where would I go from here? The thought of returning to the house I shared with Derek made me feel sick.
I drove back to work, trying to distract myself with tasks, but my mind kept spinning, replaying the events of the day. I was in a complete mess.
After work, I drove "home" slowly and reluctantly, the word feeling hollow. That wasn't my home anymore. I didn't think I had one.
My heart felt heavy, as I missed my mom terribly. She would have understood me, listened to me, and done anything to keep me happy. Her passing had left a gaping hole in my life, and I missed her every day.
I pulled up to the house, parked, and stepped out of the car. As I entered the house, Derek greeted me with a bright smile. "Hey, sweetie," he said, hugging me and planting kisses on my face. I controlled myself, barely, and didn't dig my fingers into his deceptive face.
I wriggled out of his grip, disgusted. "I'm tired," I said, walking away.
But Derek wouldn't let me go. He held my hand, stopping me. "You shouldn't stress before our wedding," he said softly, hugging me from behind. "I want you to be the most beautiful bride."
I clenched my fists, trying to keep calm. The person who I just hours ago, was planning how to kill me after our wedding was now holding me, pretending to be loving and caring.
"I love you," he whispered in my ear.
And I couldn't take it anymore. With all my might, I detached his hands from me and walked away, leaving him behind. I could feel his eyes on my back, but I didn't care. This was insane!
I went into the room, and my eyes rested on the bed where I had seen Viola and Derek. My face was red with anger as I bit my lips. No, I must ruin their plan, but how? Especially when my father was acting in the strangest way. My mind was a jumbled mess.
Just then, the door flew open, and Derek walked in. "So I was right after all," he said, his voice surprisingly dangerous.
"About what?" I asked, my heart racing.
"Why are you acting up?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
"I said I'm tired," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
Derek chuckled and ran his hands through his dark curly hair. "The thing about you, Alessia, is that you think you're smart. You don't know I am way smarter and always ahead of you." He said, his gaze piercing.
I maintained his gaze, feigning ignorance. "What are you on about?" I asked.
"Acting actually dumb, huh?" he said, with a sneer. "You think I wouldn't know you came back home this afternoon?"
I felt my breath catch in my throat as he advanced towards me. I moved back, my back resting against the dressing table.
"Dummy," he said, his voice condescending. "I wore this for you myself this morning." He raised my left earring to my face.
I instinctively held my ear, realizing too late that the earring had fallen off. I'm doomed!
"I wasn't sure," Derek continued, "but your actions confirmed my suspicions. You coming home and leaving without my knowledge means you saw or heard something and you wouldn't be too tired for me. You always anticipate my touch, and you didn't even look at me or call me the way you do. I could sense it all."
"Derek..." I said, scared. Was he going to kill me now? I thought. My hands were on the table, searching discreetly and frantically for a w
eapon to defend myself. He looked very dangerous, like a bloodthirsty animal.